Bucks Bass and Bourbon

Just out of curiosity why no leader? The abrasion resistance of braid?

Hello folks. There’s a good chance in the coming months that I will be in the market for either a Nitro Z18 or Z19 and I would love to hear some honest opinions on both. But first allow me to list the details about how I fish and what I consider important. Also I know there are strong opinions on boats. Nitros are in my price range (used 2022 or new 2023 range likely). I almost always fish alone but will want enough space for one more adult. My kid will be getting old enough to join me soon and as he gets older I want enough space for both of us to fish all day. I’m 6’4” so I take up space in case that matters. I usually fish smaller to medium sized lakes and rivers but would like to start getting out onto Lake St Clair with some more boat stability and confidence on the water and don’t want to be limited if I’m going to spend the money on a bass boat. I don’t tournament fish but might play around in smaller local ones so that’s a non-factor in buying a boat. I already have all the electronics I need including the the trolling motor. I want a boat with ample storage for my rods, tackle, batteries and food and water for the day and a boat that is fishable in reasonable weather and water conditions. I can handle darn uncomfortable conditions but I’m not crazy when it’s dangerous. My question given the factors above is what am I gaining or giving up with the 18 versus the 19 or vice versa? And what is the difference really given the price difference? Storage and towing is not an issue and if money were no issue I would go with the 19 but this is the real world and the price comes into consideration. The boat doesn’t have to meet every need perfectly, just adequately to get me out in the water and fishing longer. Trying to figure out the sweet spot between overspending unnecessarily and shorting myself on the boat and finding it less than adequate when I want to fish some bigger waters. Hope that makes sense. Thanks in advance!

I would love to do that but I don’t think straight braid is feasible. A lot of the lakes and rivers I fish are very clear and not having a fluoro leader would absolutely cost me fish, especially as they start getting a little pressured. That’s ok. Just means I need to keep my FG knot tying skills sharp.

Thanks again for all the replies. The reels are stripped and put up for the season but I think I’ll give the 30 pound braid to 13 pound fluoro a go and see how that works out.

Ah ok I didn’t know that. Learned something new today, thanks! I dropshot and wacky rig on slack line a lot but jig almost never except on the fall so that might not matter much. I might give the 30 pound a shot and see how it works with a similar diameter fluoro leader.

Good responses thank you. I’m surprised to hear I would lose sensitivity on bites going broad to fluoro. No stretch with braid so why would I lose bite detection? Straight braid in slow jig bottom contact presentations is tough with moderate pressure and some clear water in places here. When offshore jig fishing I’m usually around weed edges not a lot of heavy cover like wood. Of fishing heavy stuff I have straight heavier braid. I might stick with fluoro but I’m interested in these answers.

Folks, I’m thinking about making a line switch next season for my main jig rod setup. I ran 12 pound straight fluoro this year and it did fine. I also have an excellent jig rod in the expride 7’2” MH along paired with a curado reel. Just thinking the braid to leader combo might give me that little extra sensitivity for the subtle bites. What pound test do you recommend? Would a 20 lb main line and 12 lb fluoro leader work? Also please keep in mind I’m fishing in Michigan where the typical “big” largemouth I can expect to hook up with are 4-5 pounds and smallies about the same. Yes there are bigger but those are the exception not the rule. Where I’m jigging is also near weed edges and rock piles and not heavy wood and gnarly cover. I have a heavier setup for that. Thanks in advance!

That’s really cool

Lol I’m done poking the bear. Lots of Michigan folks on here. I love how just like where I grew up across the lake you can go less than an hour in just about any direction and find multiple really nice lakes to fish.

Thanks everyone. Glad to be here. I’m a native Wisconsinite but I’m really getting accustomed to Michigan. Even starting to get into the UM-OSU rivalry (OSU fans don’t like hearing about the last couple games though… lol)

Thanks guys. A-Jay I was on Lake Otsego a few Saturdays ago. Crazy day to be on the water in my 16 foot aluminum lol.

I’m in Waverly

Awesome. I’ve been in Michigan about two years and am really liking it.

Thanks guys. Where about in Michigan are you? I’m in the Lansing area and hit most of the lakes within an hour or two. Plenty to choose from. Also the Grand.

Yes you’re on the right track. I’m also a Michigan angler so I have a pretty good idea the types of lakes you’re fishing. Sounds like you’re using electronics, so if that’s the case, start by graphing the areas that look good on your maps and see what you identify for cover or structure. I have found tapering and hard weed edges holding a ton of nice fish as well as little isolated patches of submerged weeds that are almost certainly overlooked. As for baits, what are you throwing? I struggled initially this summer but went back to basics and started having success with wacky worms thrown around hard weed lines and crankbaits moved over the top of and around isolated weeds and edges. Also the drop shot tied a few inches taller than the submerged weeds (so the bait sits just above the tops) has been very successful for all sizes of bass. Plenty of little guys but also some very nice ones for Michigan (2.5 pounds up to almost 4). Jigs and shaky heads are always a staple too depending on what they want. My electronics have been the make or break in identifying subtle pieces of cover - mostly weeds - that have produced. But admittedly I have had just as much success visibly identifying the tapering weed edges and working those with a wacky worm or a smaller paddle tailed swim bait.

Hello everyone This is my first post. I’m a southern Michigan fisherman, so I mostly focus on largemouth and smallmouth when I find them. I grew up in Wisconsin fishing with my dad, but then like a lot of us as I got into high school and after I kind of moved away from it. Did some time in the army and after I ended my time I wound up in Arizona. Finally got back up to the Midwest and rediscovered bass fishing and it’s been jumping in with both feet since. I also bow hunt as much as I can so last year I got an aluminum 16 foot boat that serves double duty for hunting and a LOT of fishing. Threw some electronics on it and off I went. I’m hopelessly addicted. Looking forward to learning and contributing to the forums.